Experimental duo of Kevin Rutmanis (Cows, The Melvins, Tomahawk, hepa.titus) and Gina Skwoz (visual artist known as Mow Skwoz) is happy to present their new collaborative release with Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Tomahawk, Trio-Convulsant).
During the lockdown of 2020, Rutmanis and Skwoz began writing, recording, and self-releasing experimental music under the name Lord and Lady Kevin. Through a series of twenty lathe-cut releases, they honed their sound, and were joined by David Levingstone – engineer, producer, and founding member of God Bullies. And turned into Lords and Lady Kevin. “David passed away two years ago, much to the world’s despair” – explains Kevin Rutmanis looking back at the beginnings of the project now. While the very first releases came out as limited runs and got sold immediately, Italian Overdrive Records is happy to announce the signing of the project with their first full-size release – ‘Last Days At Hot Slit’.
Uniting former and current members of Tomahawk, Last Days At Hot Slit marks a powerful reunion between Rutmanis and Dunn. The record took shape gradually, born from Rutmanis’s raw, unconventional bass recordings. “I sent Trevor a phone recording of some hideous bass racket and asked if he wanted to add anything,” Rutmanis shares. “What he sent back was something like delicious fresh cherries with ice and banana slices.” The pair’s combined creativity gave rise to a new, immersive soundscape, while their collaborative piece, Crackpot Whorehead, set the tone for the current formation of Lords and Lady Kevin.
As the album took form, Gina Skwoz contributed drum tracks recorded alongside her brother Lee, who played drums on previous Dunn-Rutmanis collaborations. “Kevin and I were assembling the sound, and we felt Trevor would be the perfect addition,” says Gina. The trio approached each track with a spirit of improvisation, layering instruments and building a diverse sonic structure. “Once we started recording, we both added more instruments—vocals, guitars, samples, you name it,” Rutmanis notes. “The same holds true for ‘Last Days At Hot Slit’; each of us played a variety of different instruments. Truth be told, I’ve been playing guitar longer than bass in my life.”
“I structure my parts to complement and enhance both Gina’s and Kevin’s parts, while building my own genius ideas into the songs. They are so lucky to have me on board! “ – explains Trevor Dunn. “There are no limits on what we’re willing to do, although that doesn’t guarantee good results,” adds Trevor “I recorded Saxophone on the 2nd Dunn with Rutmanis! And I even sing on ‘Last Days At Hot Slit’!” – he discloses, adding an unexpected twist.
Tracklist:
1.Despair
2. Devil Woman
3. Hell Better
4. Hiq82
5. Humanity One
6. Last Days At Hot Slit
7. Lazarus
8. Monday
9. Shape
10. Sweet Jesus
11. Indifference
The new LP, Last Days At Hot Slit, delves deeper into realms of mystery, conjuring a rich blend of imaginary jazz and gospel, punctuated with a hint of no wave. With each track, Lords and Lady Kevin bring listeners to the edge of the unexpected. The LP is coming out December 6th. Pre-order the pink-vinyl version alongside the splatter one via Overdrive Records. Pre-order ‘Last Days At Hot Slit’ now via Overdrive Records here. And via Bandcamp here.